No Gym, No Excuse: At Home Workouts

You’re sporting your favorite workout gear and prepared for your at-home sweat-session, but your couch, chores, kids, or other distractions relentlessly call your name until you give in and skip it altogether. Julie Ledbetter, Colorado Springs based lifestyle and fitness coach knows all too well that a home fitness journey is a double-edged sword. “There’s no room for excuses.”

Still, starting or maintaining an at-home workout routine can be a daunting task if you don’t approach it the right way. Ledbetter says, “With every new season or training type, I always have clients ask themselves five questions: What’s my training experience? What are my goals? What’s my availability? What are my rest and recovery needs? And what are my weaknesses?” Beginning the process with clear expectations and realistic goals is key.

Try these power moves at home

Photo courtesy of Julie Ledbetter

Static power lunges

Incline pushups (on chair or couch)

Jump squats

Tricep dips (on chair or couch)

Mountain climbers 12 reps each x 3 rounds

For more house-friendly workouts like this, download the Movement with Julie app in the App Store.

Getting it done

Ledbetter recommends you purchase a program or hire a coach to keep you accountable. Movement with Julie is a Ledbetter Inc. app that includes easy-to-follow, weekly workout programs with video demonstrations for every exercise, as well as modifications for all abilities. “I educate users and make it as easy as possible for people to work out regardless of their fitness expertise or training experience.” More valuable than the workouts themselves is the online community that the membership makes available. “Pursuing fitness goals can feel lonely. That’s why so many people like virtual, group-fitness style training. You’re wired for connection so, when you’re in a community with likeminded people, it’s easier to follow through. You can come to them with questions, discouragement, victories, or if you just need some motivation.”

In terms of equipment, high-tech systems on the market can be helpful, but Ledbetter reassures that all you really need to get a quality workout are the bare necessities. “In my program, I require dumbbells, a bench if they have one, or resistance bands with handles. But you can get creative with many things in your household.” She suggests using water jugs, cans, or even wine bottles for arm exercises; an ottoman, couch, or chair for bench exercises; and indoor and outdoor steps for various cardio or lower body exercises. “There are tons of body weight movements that people underestimate, too. Just move your body and have fun!”

From Ledbetter’s perspective, it boils down to how bad you want it. “It’s not always going to be easy to work out and it’s not always going to be the first thing you want to do—often it’s the last—but it’s always the thing that’s going to make you feel the best. You have two options: Use this season to become the strongest version of yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually or use it to backtrack.” What’s your choice?

Use promo code 10OOFMWJ for your first month at only $10.

Photo courtesy of Julie Ledbetter

JULIE LEDBETTER is a lifestyle and fitness coach and co-owner of Ledbetter Inc. with her husband, Joshua. She has a background in professional bodybuilding shows, but has since committed to sustaining healthy relationships with food and movement while empowering people to do the same through the mantra, “Honor your Body with Movement.” For info about her Movement with Julie app and other services like the Macro Counting Made Simple program, Embrace Your Real podcast, e-books, and equipment and apparel line, visit ledbetterinc.com and juliealedbetter.com.